MLB Player News

Hansen (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Palm Beach on Tuesday.

Hansen has had a delayed start to the minor-league season after developing left shoulder stiffness during spring training. The southpaw posted a 3.93 ERA and 123:37 K:BB over 137.1 innings with Double-A Springfield in 2025 and is set to move up to Triple-A Memphis once he's done with his rehab assignment.

Hernandez went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Reds.

The 26-year-old outfielder is struggling to find his 2025 form so far in 2026, going just 3-for-27 (.111) through nine games with a triple, two runs, four RBI and a 4:6 BB:K. For now, Hernandez remains a fixture in the Marlins' lineup in left field against left-handed pitching while still getting occasional starts against righties, but his path to consistent playing time will get a lot narrower once Kyle Stowers (hamstring) is healthy.

Dubon went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Angels.

His ninth-inning long ball off Chase Silseth didn't impact the final outcome, but it did continue a hot start at the plate for Dubon. The veteran utility player is slashing .333/.368/.556 through 10 games with two doubles, two homers, six runs and seven RBI as he handles starting shortstop duties for Atlanta. Dubon will be hard to remove from the lineup if he's still providing this much offense when Ha-Seong Kim (finger) is cleared to return, but that decision for manager Walt Weiss is likely still about a month away.

The Phillies activated Kerkering (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kerkering got a late start to the season after straining his right hamstring during spring training, but he's ready to roll after four rehab appearances. The 25-year-old will settle into a setup role for the Phillies, though he could be eased back into high-leverage situations following the layoff.

The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

He's clearing out to make room on the active roster for Orion Kerkering (hamstring), who is returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list. Backhus has yielded three runs with a 4:1 K:BB over three innings out of the Phillies' bullpen this season.

Herrera has served as the personal catcher for Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante and is expected to continue doing so at least through the end of April, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The goal in having Herrera attached to two specific starters allows the Cardinals to simplify his game-planning duties and also ease his catching burden following offseason elbow surgery and a spring training knee issue. Additionally, with Herrera catching the team's two best groundball pitchers, it frees up the designated-hitter spot for Nolan Gorman and third base for a better defender in Ramon Urias. The Cardinals have been pleased with Herrera's work at catcher so far, as well as the health of his knee. If those things continue trending in a positive direction, Herrera will eventually take on additional catching responsibilities. If McGreevy and Pallante remain on the same schedule, Herrera should reach 10 games at catcher on April 24, which is the in-season eligibility threshold on most fantasy platforms.

Horton (forearm) will get a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Tuesday after an initial MRI did not yield favorable results, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Horton exited his last start and was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right forearm strain. It sounds like the initial prognosis points to a long-term injury and perhaps surgery, but more will be known after the hurler gets a second opinion Tuesday. The Cubs have yet to announce who will take Horton's spot in the rotation Wednesday against the Rays, but Colin Rea is one candidate.

Benson started in right field and went 1-for-4 in Monday's 2-0 win over the Marlins.

Benson and Noelvi Marte have alternated starts in right field since Opening Day; neither has started consecutive days there, although Benson did make one start in left field. It's worked out so that the righty-hitting Marte was in the lineup whenever the Reds faced a lefty, but right field has been a true job share between the two. Benson is batting .238 (5-for-21) with two extra-base hits and one RBI through nine games played.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, two total runs and three total RBI against the Blue Jays in a 14-2 victory Monday.

Freeman was one of seven Dodgers with multiple hits in the offensive explosion. His homer was a no-doubter that traveled an estimated 438 feet in the third inning. Freeman began the campaign by going 3-for-14 over his first four games. However, he's now in the midst of a six-game hitting streak during which he's batting .308 (8-for-26) with three home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI and six runs scored.

Ohtani went 2-for-6 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Monday in a 14-2 rout of Blue Jays.

Ohtani launched a 414-foot solo shot to center field in the sixth inning to give Los Angeles a 7-1 lead. After beginning the season with no homers through his first six contests, the two-way star has now gone deep three times over his past four games. Ohtani has exactly two hits in each contest during that span and has produced seven RBI while scoring five times.